February 22nd, 2008
Tour To India
India is a land of fascinating natural and cultural contrasts, which are reflected in its galore of tourist attractions. Whatever may be your interest as a traveler, India, with its innumerable tourism facets, is surely not to disappoint you. Thus India tour can easily be sub-divided into several branches, such as religious tours to India, heritage tours to India, wildlife tours to India, beach tours to India, hill stations of India, etc.
Darjeeling in West Bengal , Mussoorie and Nainital in Uttaranchal, Ooty in Tamil Nadu, Munnar in Kerala, Shimla and Dalhouse in Himachal Pradesh, and Mahabaleshwar in Maharashtra, are only some of the hill stations of this country, where you can have some quiet moments with yourself and your loved ones amidst the hilly heights.
The serenity of the mountains in many of these hill stations are complemented by a number of surrounding tourist attractions, picturesque tea estates and the glamour of mall. Although many of them have become crowded over the decades, but still they hold their pristine charm, which can soothe the city-jaded nerves. Trekking through the hilly tracks can lead you to your own little discoveries…which can enliven your hilly sojourn.
At India you can not only enjoy the solitude of the hills, but also the colours of its valleys. Of course, Kashmir, with its fabled reputation, is the queen among the valleys. Shikara rides or rather cruises on the tranquil Dal and Nagin lakes of Srinagar, with the kaleidoscope of life and the snowcapped mountains gazing you by, can be a wonderful experience.
The verdant gardens of Srinagar can also give your Kashmir tours an added charm. Besides Srinagar, Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonmarg can present you with some breathtaking natural beauty in your tours to Kashmir. The Kulu and Manali valley in Himachal Pradesh, with their spellbounding scenery, temples, apple orchards and adventure tourism options can also be embedded into your memory. Whether you like nature, religion or adventure, Kullu Manali can give you the answer.
India has beaches and beaches…but you can’t see one and see them all, as most of them are with their distinct characteristics. Yes of course, the Puri beach in Orissa, the Kovalam and Varkala beach in Kerala, and the Goan beaches are must sees, but you shouldn’t miss out on the lesser-known but no less charming beach destinations like Ganapatipule in Maharashtra or Digha in West Bengal in your beach tours to India. And of course, the Chowpatty beach in Mumbai and the Marina Beach of Chennai must be included into your trips through the maddening, yet fascinating, metros of India.
The religious tours of India can make you travel through the length and breadth of the country. For the depth of religion is manifested in numerous temples, mosques and churches dotted from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. India has a number of religious destinations like Bodhgaya, Rajgir, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Varanasi, Tirupati, Puri, Ajmer, Rameshwaram, etc. where one can find ample opportunities to introspect and explore within yourself. Jagannath Temple in Puri and Venkateswara Temple in Tirupati are among the major temples of India. However, there are some temples like the Khajuraho temples, and the temples in the Konark Sun Temple complex, which no longer have any worship. But they attract hordes of tourists for their timelessly sensual sculptures, created in stone for the eternity to savour, and also for their annual dance festivals. They are more a part of the pluralistic heritage of India than its enriched religious fabric.
The heritage tours to India is not only limited to India’s mighty forts and palaces in Rajasthan, Gujarat, UP, Maharashtra and Delhi and other places, but is also manifested through its Ajanta and Ellora sculptures, Sanchi Stupas and Hampi ruins. They share the glory of India’s five millennia heritage with Qutab Minar, Red Fort, Jamma Masjid, Amer Fort, Fathepur Sikri, Victoria Memorial and Gateway of India…and of course the Taj Mahal, and many others.
The wildlife tours of India can be best explored in a jeep or on an elephant…and with a camera. Despite rapid industrialization and rampant poaching, India’s forest cover still maintains a rich diversity of flora and fauna, which one can enjoy in the country’s various wildlife parks and sanctuaries, situated across the length and breadth of the country. Corbett National Park, Kaziranga National Park, Ranthambore National Park, Periyar National Park, Kanha National Park and Sunderbans are some of the many wonderful wildlife tourist destinations of India, which an avid wildlife enthusiast can’t afford to miss.